Vehicle Description
Introduced at the October 1988 Birmingham Motor Show to almost
universal acclaim, the Virage was the first new Aston Martin for
eighteen years. A satisfying blend of muscularity and
understatement, its sleek aluminium silhouette was the work of John
Hefferman and Ken Greenley. Based around a modified version of its
Lagonda sibling's sheet-steel platform chassis, the newcomer
benefited from revised wishbone independent front suspension, a
lightened de Dion rear axle, four-wheel disc brakes and
power-assisted rack and pinion steering. Suitably reworked by
Callaway Engineering of Connecticut, USA (using 'four-valve'
cylinder heads, hydraulic tappets and Weber electronic fuel
injection), its 5340cc 'quad-cam' V8 engine not only satisfied
forthcoming emissions legislation but also developed some 330bhp
and 350lbft of torque. Allied to a choice of either three-speed
automatic or five-speed manual transmissions.� Lack of anticipated
sale orders and a general lack of enthusiasm for the car's
performance led the Works in house engineering team to devise a
reworked 6.3 litre conversion for customers who wanted more power
and greater performance. It is believed that only 22 brand new
Volantes were driven around to the back door of the factory after
delivery, each of which was then fitted with a new wide body, new
wheels and suspension, an uprated 500bhp engine improving the 0-60
time and enabling the car to make 165mph.� First registered in
1994, the Volante on offer today is one of the much rarer and
seriously more desirable 6.3 factory converted Volantes, or
convertible, models. It is described as being in excellent
condition throughout with the bodywork finished in Aston Martin
Racing Green beautifully complemented by the magnolia hide
upholstery with Spruce piping and Fern Green carpets. That engine
is mated to a three-speed automatic gearbox. Much care and
attention has been lavished upon L11 AML; last year Rikki Cann, the
well-known Aston Martin V8 specialist based in Essex, completely
rebuilt the engine at a cost in excess of �15,000 and at the same
time hoses, radiator and air-conditioning condenser were all
replaced. The suspension was also removed and powder coated by
Stratton Aston Martin when the car was acquired in 2012. It has a
detailed maintenance history file and upgrade history going back
for rather more than the four years that it has been owned by the
vendor, including old MoT test certificates going back over many
years including a photograph album of the work done during his
ownership. The tyres have been recently replaced and all in
excellent condition and a Rikki Cann service took place 1,000 miles
ago. Supplied with a DB9-style battery trickle charger installed
discreetly in the boot, green lambs-wool overmats and the original
works number plate, L11 AML, these superb examples, like its
fixedhead brother, are fast becoming the latest Aston Martin
investment vehicles to watch. For sale by auction on Saturday 23
September 2017 with Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Motor
Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey, Call 01753 639170
